Nc high school referee pay. NCHSAA Study Recommends Increased Pay and Stricter Penalties to Address Referee Shortage in NC High School Sports

How can North Carolina high school sports address the shortage of referees and officials. What are the main recommendations from the NCHSAA study to improve the officiating experience. Why are officials considering leaving high school sports, and what solutions are proposed to retain and recruit them.

The Current State of High School Sports Officiating in North Carolina

North Carolina high school sports are facing a significant challenge: a pronounced shortage of referees and officials across all disciplines. This decline has been years in the making but was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) has taken notice of this pressing issue and formed an ad hoc subcommittee to study the high school officiating experience in the state.

The subcommittee conducted a survey between July 25 and August 5, garnering responses from 3,115 officials, representing 42% of the potential 7,400 officials in the state. This high response rate indicates that officials have much to say and want their voices heard.

Key Findings from the NCHSAA Survey

• 55% of current respondents are ages 55 and older
• 77% of respondents are over age 45
• 53% of current officials have considered leaving high school sports

These statistics paint a concerning picture for the future of high school sports officiating in North Carolina. The aging officiating base, coupled with the high percentage of officials considering leaving, suggests that the shortage could worsen in the near future if action is not taken.

Top Recommendations from the NCHSAA Study

The subcommittee’s study yielded two primary recommendations to address the officiating shortage:

1. An immediate, across-the-board pay increase with more regular increases
2. Doubling down on penalties for poor sportsmanship from everyone — coaches, players, and especially fans

These recommendations aim to tackle the main issues contributing to the officiating shortage: inadequate compensation and poor treatment from participants and spectators.

Current Pay Scale for NC High School Sports Officials

Varsity officials and referees in North Carolina currently earn between $64 (for soccer) and $94.50 (for football) per game. This range also applies to other sports such as baseball, basketball, lacrosse, softball, and wrestling. However, it’s important to note that officials are not compensated for their travel expenses to and from games, which can significantly impact their net earnings.

Addressing Poor Sportsmanship in High School Sports

The second major recommendation focuses on improving the overall experience for officials by addressing poor sportsmanship. The subcommittee suggests that schools should be incentivized to control unsportsmanlike behavior before any official needs to intervene. This proactive approach could help create a more positive environment for officials, potentially increasing retention rates.

The Role of School Administrators and Athletic Officials

To effectively combat poor sportsmanship, school administrators and athletic officials may need to take a more active role in addressing over-the-top and abusive behavior from fans and parents. By intervening early and setting clear expectations for conduct, schools can help create a more respectful atmosphere for officials, players, and spectators alike.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Officiating

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the officiating shortage in North Carolina high school sports. Many older referees chose to retire during this period, either due to health concerns or a loss of enthusiasm for officiating. This exodus of experienced officials has further strained an already diminishing pool of available referees.

Challenges Faced by Athletic Directors

Over the past year, athletic directors have increasingly been informed by regional referee supervisors that they cannot provide full crews for all games, including varsity matches. This shortage is particularly evident in sports where teams play multiple times per week during the regular season. The result is often a tense and frustrating environment for players, coaches, fans, and officials alike, as reduced crews struggle to cover critical angles of play.

Potential Solutions to Retain and Recruit Officials

In addition to the main recommendations, the NCHSAA study suggests several other potential solutions to address the officiating shortage:

• Providing snacks and secured changing areas for officials
• Implementing more regular pay increases
• Developing strategies to recruit younger officials
• Improving training and mentorship programs for new officials

These measures aim to enhance the overall experience for officials and make the role more attractive to potential recruits.

The Importance of Recruiting Younger Officials

Given the aging officiating base in North Carolina, recruiting younger officials is crucial for the long-term sustainability of high school sports. Developing targeted recruitment strategies and providing support systems for new officials could help attract and retain a younger generation of referees and officials.

The NCHSAA’s Role in Implementing Changes

The NCHSAA board of directors is expected to address the survey results during meetings on Wednesday and Thursday. As the governing body for high school sports in North Carolina, the NCHSAA plays a crucial role in implementing any changes to officiating policies and pay scales.

The New Memorandum of Understanding

It’s worth noting that the NCHSAA recently underwent significant administrative and policy changes following negotiations with the State Board of Education. A new memorandum of understanding allows the NCHSAA to retain its oversight of middle and high school sports through at least the end of the 2026-27 school year. This agreement provides a framework within which the NCHSAA can work to address the officiating shortage and implement necessary changes.

The Broader Impact on North Carolina High School Sports

The officiating shortage has implications beyond just the officials themselves. It affects the quality and fairness of games, the experience of student-athletes, and the overall integrity of high school sports in North Carolina.

Perspectives from School Districts

John Sullivan, athletic director for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, emphasized the importance of officials to high school athletics: “We certainly value and appreciate what our referees mean to high school athletics. Having a trusted, reliable and well-trained pool of referees managed by the NCHSAA is invaluable.”

Sullivan also noted that the school system is taking a wait-and-see approach regarding the pay issue, stating, “We will watch as the NCHSAA works through this pay issue with the referees, and will be prepared to follow the state’s guidance moving forward. We want nothing but the best environment possible for our student athletes.”

The Future of High School Sports Officiating in North Carolina

As the NCHSAA considers the recommendations from the subcommittee’s study, the future of high school sports officiating in North Carolina hangs in the balance. Addressing the shortage of officials will require a multi-faceted approach, including better pay, improved working conditions, and a concerted effort to combat poor sportsmanship.

Potential Long-term Solutions

While immediate actions like pay increases and stricter penalties for poor sportsmanship are crucial, long-term solutions may also need to be considered. These could include:

• Developing partnerships with local colleges and universities to create officiating programs
• Implementing technology to assist officials and reduce the workload in certain sports
• Creating public awareness campaigns to highlight the importance of officials in youth sports
• Establishing mentorship programs to support and retain new officials

By taking a comprehensive approach to addressing the officiating shortage, North Carolina can work towards ensuring the sustainability and quality of high school sports for years to come.

The Role of Technology in Addressing the Officiating Shortage

As the shortage of officials continues to pose challenges for high school sports in North Carolina, technology may play an increasingly important role in addressing some of these issues. While it’s unlikely that technology will completely replace human officials, it could potentially assist in certain aspects of officiating and help alleviate some of the pressure on the existing pool of referees.

Potential Technological Solutions

• Video replay systems for reviewing crucial calls in high-stakes games
• Electronic tracking systems for offside calls in soccer or football
• Automated line-calling technology for tennis matches
• Digital scorekeeping and timekeeping systems to reduce the workload on officials

While implementing such technologies may require initial investments, they could prove cost-effective in the long run by reducing the number of officials needed for each game and potentially attracting tech-savvy individuals to officiating roles.

Community Involvement in Supporting High School Sports Officials

Addressing the officiating shortage in North Carolina high school sports is not solely the responsibility of the NCHSAA or school administrators. The broader community also has a role to play in supporting and encouraging officials.

Ways the Community Can Support Officials

• Promoting respect for officials at all levels of youth sports
• Encouraging former athletes to consider officiating as a way to stay involved in sports
• Supporting local officiating clinics and training programs
• Recognizing the contributions of officials through local awards or recognition programs

By fostering a culture of respect and appreciation for sports officials, communities can help create a more positive environment that attracts and retains referees and umpires.

The Economic Impact of the Officiating Shortage

The shortage of officials in North Carolina high school sports has potential economic implications that extend beyond the immediate concerns of game coverage and fair play. As schools struggle to find enough officials for their games, they may face increased costs and logistical challenges.

Potential Economic Consequences

• Higher travel costs as schools import officials from other regions
• Increased game cancellations or postponements due to lack of officials
• Potential loss of revenue from ticket sales and concessions for canceled games
• Higher officiating fees to attract and retain referees

These economic factors underscore the importance of addressing the officiating shortage promptly and effectively to ensure the financial sustainability of high school sports programs.

Learning from Other States: Best Practices in Officiating Retention and Recruitment

As North Carolina grapples with its officiating shortage, it may be beneficial to look at successful strategies implemented in other states facing similar challenges. By examining best practices from across the country, the NCHSAA and local school districts can potentially adopt or adapt effective solutions.

Examples of Successful Initiatives from Other States

• Mentorship programs pairing experienced officials with newcomers
• Partnerships with local colleges to offer officiating as part of physical education curricula
• Streamlined certification processes to make it easier for new officials to get started
• Marketing campaigns targeting former athletes and sports enthusiasts
• Innovative pay structures that reward longevity and performance

By learning from the experiences of other states, North Carolina can potentially implement proven strategies to address its officiating shortage more effectively.

NCHSAA study recommends better pay, more penalties for poor sportsmanship.

Richard Craver

North Carolina high school sports are experiencing a pronounced shortage of all referees and officials, a decline years in the making but deepened during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Can a per-game pay increase, as well as other game-related enhancements such as providing a snack and secured changing areas, stem the tide and even reverse the decrease?

Would it make a difference if school administrators and athletic officials take a more active role in addressing over-the-top and abusive fan/parent behavior, particularly before being asked by officials under duress?

Those are the primary questions that spurred the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s board of directors to form an ad hoc subcommittee “to study the high school officiating experience in North Carolina.”

The 23-member subcommittee organized a survey that was taken between July 25 and Aug. 5. The 3,115 respondents represented 42% of a potential 7,400 officials.

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The top-two recommendations from the subcommittee:

“An immediate, across-the-board (pay) increase with more regular increases.”

“Doubling down on penalties for poor sportsmanship from everyone — coaches, players, but especially fans. Schools should be incentivized to control this before any official needs to ask.”

The survey represents a ripple effect from the 2021 state legislative session in which bills sponsored by three Senate Republicans could have led to the disbanding of the NCHSAA.

After months of mostly behind-the-scenes negotiations, the NCHSAA agreed to a new memorandum of understanding with the State Board of Education that allowed it to retain its oversight, but with significant administrative and policy changes. The memorandum is good for middle and high schools through at least the end of the 2026-27 school year.

Although private, religious and charter athletic departments have their own statewide oversight authorities, they rely heavily on NCHSAA-certified officials and tend to pay the same or modestly higher game fees.

The survey results are expected to be addressed by the board during meetings Wednesday and Thursday. The NCHSAA could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Officials and referees from nine sports participated, led by 1,182 in basketball, followed by 1,028 in football, 702 baseball, 600 volleyball, 595 soccer, 593 softball, 224 lacrosse, 173 wrestling and 167 swimming/diving.

“Our charge over the summer was to explore the challenges of the retention of current officials and recruitment of new officials, and make recommendations on solutions,” the subcommittee said.

“The survey is the heartbeat of our efforts.”

The high level of response, according to the subcommittee, “indicated … that officials have a lot to say and want to be heard.”

Doses of reality

Over the past year, athletic directors have been told increasingly by regional referee supervisors — who are hired by the NCHSAA — that they cannot provide full crews for all games, including varsity.

That’s particularly true for sports where teams play multiple times per week during the regular season.

Those scenarios often create a level of tension and frustration among players, coaches, fans and officials alike, particularly as reduced crews struggle to cover critical, sometimes game-changing, angles of play.

One sobering dose of reality is that 55% of current survey respondents are ages 55 and older, while 77% are over age 45. Many older referees chose to retire during the pandemic, whether for health reasons or having lost their zeal to officiate.

About 53% of current officials have considered leaving high school sports.

“Add in the aging of the officiating base, and that’s a recipe for bigger short-term issues,” according to the report.

John Sullivan, athletic director for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, said Tuesday the system is taking a wait-and-see approach.

“We certainly value and appreciate what our referees mean to high school athletics,” Sullivan said. “Having a trusted, reliable and well-trained pool of referees managed by the NCHSAA is invaluable.

“We will watch as the NCHSAA works through this pay issue with the referees, and will be prepared to follow the state’s guidance moving forward.

“We want nothing but the best environment possible for our student athletes.”

Fee increases

Varsity officials and referees in North Carolina make between $64 (soccer) and $94.50 (football) per game. The range also includes baseball, basketball, lacrosse, softball and wrestling.

However, officials and referees are not compensated for their mileage to and from games, which some neighboring states provide.

That means high gas prices cut into their fees and discourage referees from accepting matches outside their home county.

“What we saw repeatedly in the answers to open-ended questions was that too many officials of all sports are dissatisfied with their pay,” according to the report.

“An increase (in pay) for all officials in all sports would go a long way to tamping down their unhappiness.”

The report included the fees paid in those seven sports by Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee.

For example, compared with the $94.50 per game in North Carolina, varsity football officials are paid up to $106 in South Carolina and $115 in Tennessee.

Varsity basketball officials are paid $74.50 per game in North Carolina, $75 in Georgia, $80 in South Carolina and $90 in Tennessee.

In soccer, a varsity official gets $64 per game in North Carolina, $70 in South Carolina, $83 in Georgia and $85 in Tennessee.

Recruitment challenges

Another key issue cited by the subcommittee from the survey is that “lack of pay is a roadblock as a recruitment tool.”

“While tenured officials call (officiate) their sport to stay connected to one another and (to) sports, younger people (that) we need to entice into our program won’t be open to it without meaningful compensation. ”

Another recommendation is that tenured high school officials be given a seasonal or annual registration discount after a certain number of years, as well as providing a discount for officials registered in two or more sports.

The subcommittee recommends enhanced mentorship programs for younger officials, whether directly from the NCHSAA or through regional referee supervisors.

Also recommended is that NCHSAA launch a marketing campaign that promotes the positive aspects of officiating, including public service announcements on sports talk radio, attending job fairs, and reaching out to college intramural programs, high school juniors and seniors.

“On this, we must go big to expose to the next generation of officials the positives of high school sports,” according to the report.

NCHSAA endowment

Officials identified the NCHSAA’s endowment, which has approached $40 million in recent fiscal years, as a potential source to pay for increased game fees.

The endowment has received a significant amount of criticism from some NCHSAA member schools, particularly at the smaller 1-A and 2-A levels where some athletics and administrative officials have questioned why the NCHSAA doesn’t provide additional funds to help pay for uniforms, equipment, field and venue upgrades.

During the 2021 legislative debate, some NCHSAA schools were lukewarm at best about adding to their financial challenges by raising referee fees.

“We acknowledge the financial stress on schools who pay officials, but schools have other avenues to make up this money while officials do not,” according to the report.

“The alternative of no, or a delayed increase, will make this issue more profound.”

Poor sportsmanship

Poor sportsmanship from fans — foremost parents — coaches and players is cited as a key detriment to retention for younger and older officials alike.

According to the survey, 63% of respondents said that poor sportsmanship would be the top factor in exiting high school officiating, while 51% say the top factor would be “the pay is not what it should be. ”

“Young people do not want to officiate because of the abuse,” according to the report.

One potential solution is to ban teams from postseason play if five or more fans are ejected during the regular season.

The subcommittee cited how the Texas Association of Sports Officials “is considering pulling officiating services from schools that cannot control poor sportsmanship.”

“While we understand that school personnel are managing many things during any contest, administrators proactively dealing with any fans who verbally abuse or show extreme behavior toward officials on or off the court/field should be ejected from the venue immediately.”

“This ‘do we have your attention now” move is good.”

In the report’s conclusion, the subcommittee said “we strongly recommend finding these resources to accomplish these items because, regardless of the decision to act on any of these findings, there ultimately will be some kind of cost to the NCHSAA officiating program and its members.

“Either way, there’s a price to pay.”

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Regulations, Fees and Other FAQs

How do I start officiating? 

All officials must register and complete the pre-season requirements for eligibility to work NCHSAA assignments.

Requirements are as follows:

• Complete Registration and Payment
  • Personal Information
  • Background check authorization – Two responses required
  • General Registration – “NO” if wanting to be an eligible NCHSAA official
  • Regional Association
  • Payment
• Requirements for Eligibility Once Registered:
  • Background Check
  • Local Clinics Attendance
  • Local Association Meeting Attendance
  • Scrimmages
  • State Rules Clinic
  • NFHS Concussion Course
  • NFHS Sport Exam
    • 75 + Regular Season Eligible
    • 80 + Post-Season Eligible 

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I’m a new official – do I have to pay a late fee?

No. We have eliminated late registration fees for new officials.  Returning officials must pay a $25 late fee if registering past the individual sports deadline.

As part of a recruitment initiative, the NCHSAA will discount the registration fee for a first-time official.   This is ONLY for officials new to officiating with the NCHSAA (not new to a different sport than previously officiated). 

• You must first register before the NCHSAA can go into the system and waive the registration fee.
• When instructed to pay, “do not pay”.  Send an email to [email protected] stating you have completed the registration process up to the payment step.  Our office will update your account to reflect the discounted rate ($31 for insurance and background check).
• If you make a payment before the NCHSAA can waive the fee(s), you will NOT receive the discount nor a refund for the difference.
• Once complete, the NCHSAA will give a response email indicating the fee has been waived.  You will then go in and make payment to complete your registration.

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I already registered for a sport, but I would like to add a new sport. Do I need to pay the insurance fee again?

No. You only pay the insurance fee one time per year, no matter how many sports you choose to officiate.

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I have my own insurance, why do I have to pay the $21?

It is mandatory that you pay the insurance, regardless of your coverage. This is not only a $1 million liability coverage plan, but it also covers catastrophic injury up to $1 million. 

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I missed the deadline – can I still register?

No. Unfortunately, we rarely allow registrations after the deadline. This is to make sure that all officials have books, attend clinics and take exams prior to the start of the season.

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Can I register with two Regional Supervisors?

No, we only allow officials to use one Regional Supervisor per sport. Officials are independent contractors and may register with the Regional Supervisor/local officials’ association of their choice each year.

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Do I have to take the exam?

Yes. We require that the exam be taken every year.  You must register for an account at exams. nfhs.org, and take the exam at this site during the open testing window.  You must take the exam, and make 75% or above to continue officiating in our program for the sports season.

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Rulebooks are available through the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) contact at 1-800-776-3462 or order online at nfhs.com

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Where do I get my uniform?

Uniforms are available through the official NCHSAA vendor geaRef.  

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Officiating General Information

Am I eligible to work post-season?

Must meet all requirements for eligibility and score 80 + on the NFHS Exam.

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Appealing Examination Scores

When appealing an examination score you have 5 days from the test end date to appeal. When appealing an examination score you have 5 days from the test end date to appeal. When making an appeal you must list the specific questions with rule references and email the missed question to the Supervisor of Officials, Mark Dreibelbis. The appeal MUST BE IN EMAIL FORM. An appeal WILL NOT be accepted unless there is due cause to issue a grade change.

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Emergency Examination

There are no emergency examinations.  You must complete your online exam during the testing window provided by the NCHSAA office.  If you do not take the exam, or make less than a 75, you are ineligible to officiate varsity and jv games for the remainder of that sport season.

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Officiating Game Fees (Updated 1/1/23)

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Mark-Offs

Each Association is responsible for determining the criteria for a mark-off system. A mark-off system is optional NOT mandatory.

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Physical Examination

The North Carolina High School Athletic Association Board of Directors highly recommends that each official has a physical examination prior to the start of their regular sports season.

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Providing an escort

Schools must provide the officials with an escort to the dressing room in football, basketball and soccer.